The Journey to the Beautiful Life

While on vacation, I saw an artist set up with an easel, a canvas and a palette of paints. With brush in hand, she was creating her own world on the canvas before her. In this journey of live, you too, are an artist. Set before you is a blank canvas of your life. With brush in hand, you’re painting your world. With every thought, every word, and every action, you’re creating your life. Because of this, you exist in a world of your own making. Ultimately, you decide if your life is full of happiness or sadness, peacefulness or chaos, forgiveness or anger. If someone could view the painting of your life, what would they see? Tranquility? Confusion? Soft soothing shapes? Sharp, cutting edges? Bright, vibrant colors, Muddied, dark tones?

I saw an engraving on a tombstone I have never forgotten, Etched in stone were the words: “His life was a masterpiece.” Do those words describe your life? The brush is in your hand and the outcome is whatever you choose. With the help of God, the Master Artist, you can make it come about. So take your canvas and create a beautiful masterpiece!

Make your world beautiful! Put beauty in your life by doing something you love every day. Find ways to make each day a celebration rather than a drudgery of getting through the day’s long “to do” list. Be a “beauty seeker.” Cultivate the wonderful habit of looking for beauty wherever you go.

Ample beauty can be found by stepping outdoors. Nature puts on an exquisite display to enchant your eyes and arouse your senses. Your heart will soar as you experience the abundant loveliness of God’s wondrous creation.

Beautify your life by being in the company of people you enjoy. Your spirit will be lifted and your soul encouraged. Ease the tension and stress of life by laughing. Decide to fill your day with laughter!

To make your world beautiful, look for the good in every situation. View life as an overflowing glass, instead of a glass half empty. If life gives you a lemon, whip up some lemonade. And don’t take any of your blessings for granted. Be exceedingly grateful.

When going through hard times, remember that beauty is still there; it just takes a little longer to find. Remind yourself “this too shall pass.” During these times, do a kind deed for someone. It will do wonders for both their heart and yours.

Also make your world beautiful by surrounding yourself with pretty things. Looking at beauty has a healing effect both on mind and body. This idea was practiced by the ancient Greeks who made the hospitals for their wounded soldiers very beautiful. They knew their patients would heal sooner when surrounded by beauty.

Beauty also helps you from becoming discouraged or overwhelmed. So surround yourself with lovely things that make you smile and feel good. Decorate with pretty and peaceful paintings. Looking at them will make you feel serene. Or you can use your powerful imagination. On the canvas of your mind, paint a beautiful and peaceful retreat. Then slip in…

The story of David and the giant Goliath is one of my favorite Bible stories. Every time I read it, I marvel at David’s courage to fight Goliath when all the other soldiers “fled from him and were greatly afraid.” (I Samuel 17:24) How did David get so bold, so brassy? Simple. He knew his God. He could look Goliath straight in the eye and say, “My God is bigger than you!”

The difference between David and the rest of the soldiers was all they could see was the giant; all David could see was his God. They saw the bigness of their problem- Goliath; David saw the bigness of his God.

These are 6 powerful words to live by. No matter what kind of giant you’re facing today - whether it’s a financial problem, a sickness problem, whatever kind of problem it is - look it straight in the eye and say, “My God is bigger than you!”